This movie is truly disgusting. So much so that during the premier at Gothenburg Film Festival, about 30 people walked out of the movie prematurely. A bunch of them fainted and/or vomited due to graphic scenes in the movie. Raw (2016) movie review
Raw (2016) is a French-Belgian horror drama movie written and directed by Julia Ducournau. It follows an innocent young women who is attending veterinary boarding school during which a series of events lead her to develop a big desire for sex and cannibalism.
The movie has a lot of scenes that depict everything from acts of graphic violence to scenes where characters are involved in or are discussing themes of sexual nature (not in overly graphic manner. On the other hand the movie also features a great cinematography that shows a one woman’s struggle to understand herself as well as her evolving desire that resulted from her attendance full of future veterinarians. While it is exaggerated, the movie does show a true struggle that all of us have embarked on at one point in our lives. It shows our need to be understood, to be normal, and to be accepted. We get reminders that life is never fair even to those who never crossed the line of deserving it. In this sense, the character becomes unleashed and embraces her desires to be different.
While watching the movie, it occured to me that while it is graphic and unpredictable, it lacked a meaningful substance. It builds up to an ultimate letdown. This is strictly related to the story itself. The acting, the cinematography, and even the dialogue (sometimes it gets crass and pointless) are all done well. However, it seems like the act of shocking us was a way to go and make the movie memorable. (see scenes of *spoiler* eating/cutting of a human finger, failed attempt at bikini wax (graphic enough), as well as showing a person arm deep in the ass of a cow with clearly visible excrement coming out when it is removed). Perhaps this was another way to show how we all adjust differently to life’s challenges. However it seemed too stylish and artsy. Perhaps I am alone in this and I can accept that.
The movie is not terrible by any means. It has a good director and some great long shots bathed in colorful imagery. It has melodic tune that goes from soft to punk rock to show this transformation the character is going through. This didn’t work for me because of an unusual theme of cannibalism. I hope I am wrong in my assessment. I think it is overhyped, but it is a well done coming of age movie that more people should see. Different is many times better and this movie takes this theme and tries to make the best of it.
Please watch this movie without reading and/or watching anything on it prior to your first viewing. This will intensify your enjoyment and the overall experience.
Thanks for reading my Raw (2016) movie review
